INTENT ON MAKING THE WORLD A TOUCH BETTER

~Dr. John E. Upledger, D.O.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What is CranioSacral Therapy(CST)?

    CranioSacral Therapy(CST) is a gentle approach to bodywork that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction. This method works with the cranial-sacral system comprised of the membranes and fluid that surround the brain and spinal cord. Restrictions are released in the cranio-sacral system to improve the functioning of the central nervous system for whole body health and performance. CST is increasingly used as a preventative health measure for it’s ability to bolster resistance to disease, and is effective for a wide range of medical problems associated with pain and dysfunction.

  • What can I expect from a session?

    Unlike traditional massage, there is no oil or rubbing in a CST session. You remain fully clothed in loose fitting clothing (for example, yoga or workout clothes). I will begin by gently touching various areas of your body to monitor the rhythm of the fluid flowing around your central nervous system. By carefully listening with my hands, I will look for areas where the flow is less fluid - listening to and following your body’s signals to release deep restrictions with gentle manual techniques. What people experience in sessions is highly individual. The sessions are generally deeply relaxing, creating feelings of warmth or gentle pulsing in the areas I am working on. People experience deep relaxation, insights, releases and a sense of peace. Effects from the session can take 24-48 hours to integrate fully into your body.

  • Can CST help me if some other part of my body than my head hurts or was injured?

    Yes, most probably! A restriction anywhere in the body can affect the central nervous system because our bodies are connected by fascia, or connective tissue. By working with the body as a whole unit, restrictions can be released and all the body’s systems are free to self-correct.

  • What is fascia?

    Fascia is connective tissue that is found everywhere in the body - around muscles, bones, organs, and even in the cells themselves.

  • What types of conditions respond well with CST?

  • Migraines and Headaches

  • Concussion and Traumatic Brain Injury

  • Chronic Neck and Back Pain

  • Post-Surgical Dysfunction and Pre-Surgery preparation

  • Chronic Fatigue

  • Fibromyalgia

  • Depression and Anxiety.

  • TMJ, jaw and dental pain

  • Sinus conditions

  • Spinal cord injuries

  • Sciatica

  • Soft tissue injuries

  • Stress and tension

  • Digestive problems

  • Insomnia

  • How does CST work?

    Few structures have as much influence over the body’s ability to function properly as the brain and spinal cord that make up the central nervous system. And, the central nervous system is heavily influenced by cranio-sacral system - the membranes and fluid that surround, protect and nourish the brain and spinal cord.

    Every day your body endures stresses and strains that it must work to compensate for. Unfortunately, these changes often cause body tissues to tighten and distort the cranio-sacral system. These distortions can then cause tension to form around the brain and spinal cord resulting in restrictions. This can create a barrier to the healthy performance of the central nervous system, and potentially every other system it interacts with.

    Fortunately, such restrictions can be detected and corrected. I use my hands to evaluate the cranio-sacral system by gently feeling various locations of the body in order to test for the ease of motion and rhythm of the cerebrospinal fluid pulsing around the brain and spinal cord. Soft touch techniques are then used to release restrictions in any tissues influencing the cranio-sacral system.

    By normalizing the environment around the brain and spinal cord and enhancing the body’s ability to self-correct, CST is able to alleviate a wide variety of dysfunctions.

  • How many sessions do I need to feel results?

    Because you are unique - it depends. Some people find relief after one session. For others, more sessions are necessary because the complexity of the restrictions means your body needs more time to release the layers of dysfunction. Many people choose to come in once a month to maintain optimum health. This work is subtle and can require patience; in general, you will start to notice improvement within 3-6 sessions.